Title page for ETD etd-11012008-063535

Biology and natural control of the white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi (Peck), in Virginia

Degree

PhD

Department

Entomology

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name

Title

Kulman, H. M.

Committee Chair

Grayson, James McD.

Committee Member

Henderson, R. G.

Committee Member

Neff, Stewart E.

Committee Member

Pienkowski, Robert L.

Committee Member

Turner, E. Craig Jr.

Committee Member

Keywords

White pine

Date of Defense

1966-06-05

Availability

restricted

Abstract

Ovariole development and termination of diapause in the white
pine weevil were studied by dissecting weevils at various intervals
throughout the winter. Old-generation adults brought into the laboratory November produced viable eggs within 5 days. New generation
adults brought into the laboratory on November 4 produced viable eggs
during November. Viable eggs were deposited by other new-generation
adults after 10 to 15 day. at room temperature in winter. On each of
the 3 collection date studied, new generation adult produced viable
eggs without copulating after collection from hibernation indicating
that capulation occurs in the fall. There was no evidence of progressive
ovariole development throughout the winter. New generation adults
which were isolated as soon as they emerged from the shoots and maintained
at constant room temperature had poorly developed ovarioles by November 20
and produced no eggs.

Weevil flight and dispersal through a white pine plantation was
studied by releasing 409 marked weevils at a central point within a
l431-tree plantation and checking every tree at 5-day intervals. Weevils
flew readily at the time of re1ease. Marked weevils were recorded
throughout the plantation. which extended as far as 330 feet from the
release point. A few weevils were observed on scattered white pines
200-300 yards from the release point beyond a hardwood barrier. Total
numbers of weevils present on the leaders increased from April 26 to
May 5, after which numbers steadily decreased. By June 15, only 20
weevils were observed on the leaders.